Brig. Gen, Joseph Levy Dabadie Jr. (USA, ret.)

Brigadier General Joseph Levy Dabadie, Jr. (Levy), USA, retired, born November 21, 1926, in New Roads, LA, died peacefully at sunrise on Sunday, August 23, 2015, at his home. He was preceded in death by his beloved bride of 63 years, Frances Azema Theresa Lieux Dabadie. Visitation will be held at Niland's Funeral Home (210 West End Dr., New Roads, LA) on Wednesday, August 26, 2015, between 6:30 pm and 9:00 pm and on Thursday, August 27, 2015, between 9:00 am and 10:30 am. Mass will be at St. Mary's Catholic Church in New Roads, LA, and celebrated by Fr. Miles Walsh, Monsignor Robert Berggreen, and Monsignor A.J. Roy on Thursday, August 27, 2015, at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. The Louisiana National Guard will lead the rendering of full military funeral honors. A graduate of St. Joseph Academy, Levy interrupted his attendance at Louisiana State University (LSU) to volunteer for military service during WWII and deployed to the Philippines and Japan. He served for over 40 years in the United States Army and the Louisiana National Guard with progressive promotions and key command assignments (platoon, company, battalion and brigade), culminating as the Chief of Staff of the Louisiana National Guard and attaining the rank of Brigadier General (Line). He attended several basic and advanced military education courses, to include instructing at the College of the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C. General Dabadie received numerous awards and decorations during his distinguished military career, including the Legion of Merit, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), Meritorious Service Medal, Louisiana Distinguished Service Medal, Louisiana Cross of Merit, Louisiana War Cross, Louisiana Emergency Service Medal, and a Presidential Unit Citation. He was inducted into LSU's Cadets of the Ole War Skule Hall of Honor in 1999. The Louisiana National Guard recognized his contributions by naming its training center at Camp Beauregard in Pineville, LA the Brigadier General J. Levy Dabadie, Jr. Training Complex. Levy served his state and nation as the consummate citizen-soldier in the Louisiana National Guard and with various business, community, civic, and volunteer commitments. Upon returning from WWII, he worked in the family business at Lieux Chevrolet for 24 years fueling his passion for automobiles, then entered the Guard full-time in 1973. After his military retirement in 1986, Levy joined Reliable Production Services for 18 years and was with the Pointe Coupee Sheriff's Office for nine years. His leadership was always evident to everyone in his unselfish, lifelong commitment to the personal values of friendship, mentorship, service, and charity. An energetic athlete throughout his life, Levy played on the LSU football and basketball teams becoming a double letterman. He was on the U.S. Army baseball team in WWII and was a standout athlete in high school, college, and regional independent teams. He had a personal passion for family, LSU sports, automobiles, military history, and conversation. Although he and Frances moved several times for military postings, their eternal affection for family, friends, and colleagues in Pointe Coupee Parish always brought them home. Levy was active in coaching local little league football for 16 years and refereeing Parish sporting events. He was a founding member of the Catholic High of Pointe Coupee Athletic Club serving as the President for a number of years, named a distinguished graduate of Catholic High of Pointe Coupee in 2009, was a member of the Board of Directors of Guaranty Bank and Trust (Chairman 2011-2012), and gave his talents as a member of the Knights of Columbus and St. Mary's Catholic Church. Surviving children include Major General Stephen C. Dabadie (Sue), Matthew, Rita Ann, Michael (Kris); grandchildren, Bertrand Levy (Virginia), Craig Edward (Andrea), Lucille (Lucy) Marie; great grandchildren, Carter, Remy Kate, Lexie, Ellie Frances. Levy is preceded in death by parents Joseph Levy Dabadie, Sr. and Henrietta Chutz Dabadie; step-mother Gladys LeBeau Dabadie; sister Margaret Dabadie Sciacca (Wayne); brothers in-law and sisters in-law Francis Eugene (Gene) and Marie Lucille (Cile) Lieux Roy, Joseph Bertrand (Bert) Lieux, Jr. (Shirley), Charles Jerome Lieux, Sister Beth Lieux, C.S.J., James Edward Lieux (Meredith), John Albin Lieux (Laverne), Colonel (ret.) John Charles (Charlie) Bonnette (Magda). He is survived by sister Catherine Anne Dabadie (Phil Adam Boudreaux); brothers in-law and sisters in-law Theodore (Ted) Richard Lieux (Mary Alice), Sister Bertrand (Rita Ann) Lieux, C.S.J., Magdalen (Magda) Lieux Bonnette (Charlie), Ralph Lorio Lieux (Ellen), Shirley Toups Lieux (Bert), Meredith Hoag Lieux (Edward), Laverne McCrory Lieux (John), Wayne Sciacca (Margaret). The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to caregivers Dr. Robert Helm, Dr. Edward Frolich, Dr. David Fontenot, Dr. Andrew Smith, Kathleen George, Mary Netter George, Always Best Care of Baton Rouge, and Hospice of Pointe Coupee. We are especially thankful for everyone's prayers and pastoral care provided by Fr. Miles Walsh and Monsignor Robert Berggreen. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph in Wichita, KS, (csjoseph.org), The Carmelite Sisters of Covington, LA, (covingtoncarmel.org), Pointe Coupee Hospice, LA, (pchhh.org) or to the Pointe Coupee Parish Veterans Monument (American Legion Post 248, P.O. Box 62, New Roads, LA 70760).